As CNN reports, the Labor Department on Friday reported that "unemployment for African Americans is now at an astounding 16.7%, its highest level since 1984."

The Labor Department also reports that the unemployment figure for African Americans is "more than double the unemployment figure for whites, which fell slightly last month to 8%."

Remember that the Labor Department counts as unemployed only those people who do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior 4 weeks, and are currently available for work.

Those people who have given up all hope of ever again finding work are not included.

I therefore think it's safe to say that at least one of every five African Americans is out of work and suffering the consequences, including lack of health care (typically provided at least in part by many employers), a struggle to pay the rent or the mortgage, and a reliance on government and private charitable programs to feed their families.